The municipality of Berango will journey back several centuries this weekend to host the most special edition of its traditional Medieval Fair, boasting over 80 activities. The event, which attracted more than 80,000 people last year – according to metro passenger data collected by the Municipal Police – commemorates its ten-year trajectory with an enhanced program. This includes more space, approximately 140 artisan and gastronomy stalls, and Euskadi's first international armored combat tournament.
From this Friday until Sunday, Moreaga Park will once again transform into a grand historical setting, which this time will also extend to the Town Hall area with encampments, exhibitions, and spaces dedicated to ancient trades. An organizer of the initiative, in collaboration with the Council, summarizes that “people come here to see new things, to have fun, and to find something different.”
The opening will take place on Friday at 5:00 PM with the start of artisan activities, the children's area, and the first musical parades. From that same afternoon, theatrical performances, storytelling, itinerant shows, and exhibitions will follow. Notable participants include Ramalleira, a reference in traditional Galician music; Artimaña Teatro; the acrobatic group Nainapirulaina; as well as the popular ‘One-Man Band’ and storytelling sessions aimed at family audiences.
Saturday's agenda will concentrate many of the most anticipated moments. The program will begin at 10:30 AM with a grand inaugural parade, featuring the participation of over 500 people. Half an hour later, the commercial and entertainment areas will reopen. At 11:00 AM, the main attraction of this edition will commence: the Buhurt competition, a full-contact discipline with real armor that will bring together about 120 participants from France, Italy, the Netherlands, and various parts of Spain. Organizers emphasize that “these are real fights. It is a federated sport, and world champions come.”
Alongside the cultural and musical program – such as that of Lume de Viqueira, arriving with 60 bagpipers – workshops on leather, silver, spinning, cane flutes, and stone and iron work will be held. The venue will remain open until 10:00 PM after a fire show at 9:30 PM. On Sunday, events will continue from 11:00 AM. In the afternoon, the fights will return. Additionally, a medieval costume contest will be held with prizes in individual and group categories. Organizers state that this edition has involved over a year of preparation and defend the unique character of the proposal.
